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What is Love?

Echoes of Silence (1994)
Author: Chuah Guat Eng

It is long overdue, but it is never late than never. For many years, Malaysians have been writing novels in the English Language. Sadly, their following is few and far between. Through my association with a group of up and coming writers and with the power of social media, it has come to light on the treasure troves of writings of Malaysian writers in the lingua franca left by our colonial masters. I am not just referring to authors to the likes of Tan Twan Eng, Rani Manicka and K.S. Maniam. Do you know that periodically Malaysians do hit the headlines for the right reasons, literary awards being one?

 Guat Eng is hailed in the local literary circle as a 'Godmother' of sorts. She has been an active participant in the writing scene and was in the advertising field. In this story, which is set around the early years of Malaya, though the World War Two, we are ushered into a fictional world of how Malaya used to be and a peculiar case of intergenerational murders!

The author talks about many things in this book; politics, race, nation building, interracial tensions, commercialisation and so forth. What interests me, however, is the part where she asks 'what is love'? Does it have to be expressed by physical contact and overt demonstration of passion? Is public display of affection a mere construct of the modern era or a Western influence? Many choose to show love not through words but by their actions. One can say so much by saying nothing at all whilst others best stay mum as they do more damage when they open their mouths!

 http://www.viweb.mysite.com/vilit_guat-eng.htm

https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson
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